The New World Order

Chapter 1

The forest air was thick with the smell of rain as I looked out from the small cave entrance, frustrated with the drizzle. Moving camp would be a miserable affair, but it had to be done. They could catch me at any moment and continual movement helped me stay free from Them.

It was the very beginning of fall and chilly as I rolled my bedroll up and tied it to my pack. I had enough food for two days and plenty of water. Finding more food would be a good idea. I had been on the run for two years, two long years, and knew with winter coming I was in a precarious situation and needed to reach the Valley, my winter home.

I finished covering up my traces, took one last look around me, and headed out into the rain for my more permanent winter home. There was a small food store there that I had hid there over the course of the summer. I would only touch it if I needed to.

As I walked, taking care to make minimal noise and to keep an eye of for Them, my mind wandered to two years ago when things were normal.

"Mom! I'm home from school! Mom?!" I slammed the door behind me, wondering where she was until I say the bright yellow sticky note on the fridge.

Honey, I got called in for a double

this morning and won't be home until

tomorrow. Dinner is in the fridge!

Love,

Mom

With a sigh, I crumpled the note into the trash and looked in the fridge as my tummy rumbled. She had left me meatloaf for dinner with green beans and potatoes. I smiled. She tried so hard, but being a single mom was so hard, especially here. I heated up the oven and popped the meal in to warm and started homework. By the time my food was ready I was finished and got myself a plate before sitting down and turning on our small TV. I started to watch my favorite show when a National Emergency Broadcast interrupted.

I sat up and listened, but before the broadcast could announce what was wrong, the TV switched off. So did everything electronic. One second it was on and then utter silence as everything was turned off. I pulled my phone out, but that too, no longer worked. Nervous, I went outside. Many of my neighbors seemed to have the same idea. No one knew what was going on, it seemed.

After a moment I went back inside and quickly finished my meal before it could get cold. I then went into the closet and grabbed the survival kit that my dad had insisted on having around. He had been gone for years now, after dying while serving in the military. Mom and I had kept it around in memory of him, never thinking we would need it.

Just like he taught me, I went into the kitchen and added some things to the kit and made sure everything was in order.

As I was working the TV suddenly popped back on. A figure sat still on the screen as I stared, wondering what the heck was going on. Was this some kind of a joke? The figure was not human, didn't even look close to a human as I stared. It was furry, with a decidedly canine muzzle, eyes, and ears. It cleared its throat, before speaking.

"Humans of Earth do not fear. We have come to you from our world to save yours from you, the humans." It paused for a moment and then continued. "After much observation, our species has decided to intervene before your world suffers your mistreatment of it anymore. For to long you have poisoned your world in the name of convenience and progress. We will save you. Do not resist. Do not run. Do not fear," It concluded before the TV turned off with a pop.

It took all of two seconds before I herd Them. I ran outside with my kit. Utter chaos filled the as people tried to start their cars. I went inside and barricaded the door. I would wait for Mom as long as I could before fleeing. Military-like vehicles hovered around the corner before halting. Everyone seemed to stare in shock before the doors opened and They jumped out.

They could only be described as large anthropomorphic dogs in uniform. People FREAKED as they began rounding people up. I watched wide eyed as people's pet dogs stood on hind legs and transformed slightly to more resemble Them and began to help round people up into portable cages that seemed to have popped up out of nowhere.

Once everyone on the street was secured, They started going through the homes as an announcement filled the air. "Do not fear. We mean no harm. You are safe. Do not resist." After a pause the announcement repeated itself.

I decided enough was enough and booked it out the back door. I made sure I was not seen as I quickly, but quietly moved to the woods surrounding our neighborhood.

I shook my head as the memory faded and continued forward. It did no good to dwell on the past. I couldn't change it. I needed to focus on the now.